What’s a Midwest IPA, Anyway?

By Lianna Matt

As the children go off to enjoy the long fall weekend, it’s easy for them to forget that a break for them doesn’t mean a break for their teachers. For everyone who is going to the fall Minnesota Education Association (MEA) conference at the St. Paul RiverCentre this year, we know you’re working hard at your workshops, so here’s a list of good eats within five blocks from the RiverCentre to help you have a good time despite not having a day off this week.

For early mornings, grab a caffeine boost at nearby Dunn Brothers—the local Minnesota company has two locations within walking distance—or look at the surprisingly large amount of breakfast options at the Downtowner Wood Fire Grill, the American bistro with a Persian twist and, at least as far as its breakfasts, a Cajun past. Another spot to start your day is The Liffey Irish pub, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, and after more than a decade in the kitchen, they know their way around the griddle.

Lunch and dinner are full of flavorful possibilities at places like Sakura Restaurant & Bar, but you can’t go wrong with some American comfort food at Eagle Street Grille. For a taste of old St. Paul, head over to the dark green building on the corner of Chestnut and Exchange streets. Cossetta’s walls are lined with photographs and news clippings from when it first opened as a little grocery store in 1911. While Cossetta may be known for some intimidating lines, if you can swap their pasta for their pizza, the line virtually disappears. Just make sure to grab a cannoli or a treat from their patisserie!

If you want to treat yourself a little more for working so diligently while your students are off playing, check out one of the city’s standbys like the Meritage or The St. Paul Grill. (The word “grill” is in the latter for a reason, so think really hard before you pass up on its 28-day-aged steaks.) Forepaugh’s offers a picturesque setting in a Victorian mansion or, if you want to unwind a bit more, a more casual downstairs. The new kid on the block is perhaps Gray Duck Tavern. Depending on which food news source you look at it, you may think it’s mainly happy hour, but a look at the menu and a bite of its scallops and romesco or its duck schnitzel will tell you otherwise.

To unwind over happy hour, you need only pick a direction and start walking before you run into something. Immediately in the vicinity is Herbie’s On the Park, with all of the tavern food, cocktails and Miracle on Ice love you could want. Wild hockey spirit pervades the bar, but if you’re not quite feeling it, we recommend the Lonely Zamboni drink: Knob Creek bourbon, cherries, mint and lemon juice. A little ways north is the Great Waters Brewing Company and Vieux Carré Cocktail Bar & Jazz Lounge, so if you want an evening on the patio or some music to your evening, head up that way. To the west near Cossetta is the dual draw and ownership of Seventh Street Food Truck Park and New Bohemia. The first will give you fun drinks and an a la carte pick of eats, food truck style—see our full review here—and the second will give you a ridiculously low-priced happy hour, delicious bratwurst and a giant pretzel that can be shared five ways.

By Kyle Smelter

‘Cause this is thriller, thriller night! Just kidding. It’s just the 2017 Zombie Pub Crawl, an annual tradition that will be taking place on the macabre date of Saturday, Oct. 14.

“But I’ve never heard of this ‘Zombie Pub Crawl’ you speak of,” you protest.

1) Where have you been?

2) Grab a seat because ghoul’s in session.

First off, this night of ghouls, zombies and other haunts has been certified by the legendary keeper of feats itself. That’s right—the Guinness Book of World Records has officially crowned the event as the “World’s Largest Gathering of Zombies.” Every year, approximately 30,000 of the walking dead stumble, falter and stagger (maybe because of the alcohol, maybe so they don’t break character) their way through Minneapolis’ Warehouse District for a night of pub-crawling, dancing, live entertainment and more.

Locations

“What pubs are involved?” I’m glad you asked. The Zombie Pub Crawl features a horde of watering holes for the mob to meander to, including The Loon, Gluek’s, Pizza Luce and Dulono’s Pizza. But be warned, no zombie is exempt from needing a wristband and ID to get in, even if you’re the scariest piece of flesh in the joint.

Image by Matthew Mead

Tickets

“How do I acquire a wristband?” You can grab a regular admission wristband for $28 or a VIZ—you can probably guess what that stands for—ticket for $80 online. With VIZ, you receive private viewing areas of the two outdoor music stages, private bathrooms, two free drinks, private entry to the grounds and special gift goodies including snacks (maybe brains?). If you don’t want to purchase tickets online, you can make your way to literally any Ragstock location in the state and purchase a ticket any time after Friday, Sept. 29.

Performers

“Are the performers any good?” It depends on what your musical interests are, but with a lineup of more than 20 performers taking to the various stages throughout the grounds, there’s bound to be a group your ears are interested in. Headliners this year include Third Eye Blind, Tech N9ne and T-Pain.

Costume Contest

“Do people get dressed up?” You bet your sweet decayed tush they do! Be sure to shower in all the gallons of fake blood you can get your corpse-y hands on, and bring any limbs and brains (preferably fake) to gnaw and practice your blood-curdling scream inducing groans. Any zombies feeling extra dead are invited to the “B” Stage parking lot at 5:30 p.m. to be a part of the costume contest where judges will select 20 finalists to compete for prize packages from sponsors as well as lifetime VIZ access. Talk about a drop-dead beauty of a deal.

By Claire Noack

The craft brewery boom has reached the Twin Cities suburbs in a big way, and these local joints offer activities and beer that rivals any brewery in the city.

In this post, we stuck to first-ring suburbs that were within a 20 minute drive of Minneapolis or St. Paul, but we made sure to share some suggestions for suburban breweries farther away. So, buckle up and head out to your closest neighborhood taproom for handcrafted brews and a laid-back environment.

Eagan

Hair is optional at Bald Man Brewing Co., led by the bald master brewer Tristan Kusneriak. What isn’t optional is the freshest ingredients when crafting their beers. Bald Man brews artisan beers, such as Tupelo Honey Brown Ale and Misty Mountain Hops IPA, in a welcoming, family friendly atmosphere. Besides the lineup of food trucks they bring in to accompany their pints, the taproom also has a performance stage that hosts local bands for a unique edge that truly rocks.

Hopkins

Hop on over to LTD Brewing Co. to sip on suds that defy the norm of brewing. Bold flavor pairings and a constantly rotating tap list prove that the possibilities are endless when crafting excellent beer. Stick around the cozy taproom for trivia every Wednesday and live music every Friday.

New Brighton

If you’re looking for something heartier, Barley John’s Brew Pub dishes up a full menu alongside house-made beer. Combining science degrees from the University of Minnesota and a passion for home brewing, the husband and wife team craft farmhouse brews to compliment sandwiches, soups, salads and standout grilled pizzas using seasonal ingredients from their on-site vegetable garden.

Robbinsdale

It’s no secret that Wicked Wort Brewing Co. has fun with their beer. Case in point: Their latest ‘Nefarious Infusions’ blends their staple Birdtown Blonde Ale with Cookie Crisp. The family-owned brewery makes creative, cheeky brews with an atmosphere to match. The two bars dating from the ’30s and ’40s, the dog friendly patio and a variety of community events makes this local watering hole a place you won’t want to miss.

Roseville

Bent Brewstillery changed the game by producing both handcrafted beer and spirits. Visit the taproom to taste test Bent’s unique brews, like their ExperimentALES and Funked Up & Sours series. Take a tour of the distillery to sample their award-winning gin, poitin and rum, or take a bottle home and mix it up with one of their online cocktail recipes.

Southern Minneapolis

Located just north of Richfield, Wild Mind Artisan Ales brings the wild to the suburbs. Sip on their rustic, barrel aged ales that are brewed with Minnesota yeast, harvested from fruit bushes, trees and wildflowers. The combination of their farmhouse and fruity beers, modern taproom with spacious outdoor patio, and rotating food trucks and entertainment will turn you into a local in no time.

West St. Paul

The first craft brewery on the west side of St. Paul, Wabasha Brewing Co. has been serving beers suited for every palate just across the river from downtown since 2013. The classic taproom features a 22-foot bar, and local artists’ work adorns its brick walls. The brewing veteran is conveniently down the road from the historic Wabasha Street Caves—so you can take follow in the footsteps of gangsters during the Prohibition and get your fill after a tour of the caves.

Just a Little Farther…

Check out these taprooms that are located a bit farther away, but are equipped with everything necessary for the ultimate taproom experience.

• Stillwater—Lift Bridge Brewing Co.,
  Maple Island Brewing Co.
• Victoria—ENKI Brewing
• Wayzata—Wayzata Brew Works
• White Bear Lake—Big Wood Brewing

By Claire Noack

Venture across town and visit Minneapolis’ sister city, St. Paul, for a host of local restaurants and bars, museums and historic sites, and superb craft breweries. The Downtown St. Paul metropolis boasts riverfront views and plenty of charming neighborhood streets. While biking around the city, keep an eye out for architectural beauties including the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Landmark Center and Minnesota State Capitol, along with hidden treasures like the Peanuts statues in Rice Park and the St. Paul farmers’ market in Lowertown.

While getting from Summit Brewing Co. to Downtown St. Paul is a bit of a trek, this Twin Cities beer giant an absolute must-visit. The brewing veteran was making a name for itself 25 years before taprooms were allowing in the state, and is one of the biggest names in Minnesota-based beer. Take a seat in their beer hall and sip on their crowd-pleasing suds. Then follow the Mississippi as it bends north towards downtown. Located on West Seventh Street, you’ll find a number of pubs, local eateries and Bad Weather Brewing Co. The cozy environment and wide variety of seasonal, cask and nitro beers, plus housemade sodas, will keep you coming back, no matter the forecast.

Take a break from pedaling through downtown and grab some pub fare and a cask conditioned or pushed beer made from “holy” waters at Great Waters Brewing Co., located on the original site of the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Ride over to Tin Whiskers Brewing Co. where brewing and engineering combine to produce experimental flavors of your favorite beer varieties. Barrel Theory Beer Co. serves up barrel-aged beer in a unique limestone-lined cellar just blocks from the Saint Paul Saints’ CHS Field, while recently opened 12welve Eyes Brewing takes a modern twist on its Lowertown lounge. Finally, make your way just outside of the downtown area to Flat Earth Brewing Co., whose laid-back taproom and fresh brews make it the perfect way to conclude a brewery bike tour of St. Paul.

Best time to start pedaling: Thursday or Friday starting at 4 p.m., or Saturday starting at noon.

By Claire Noack

If you are visiting Minneapolis and St. Paul, chances are you’ll end up near the University of Minnesota campus. The sports-centered hub attracts people from all walks of life, resulting in a fair number of bars and international cuisine to enjoy. A short bike ride from the university lies a neighborhood of local breweries whose location may be discreet, but who are certainly on our radar for their refreshing crafts beers. Whether you are an adventurous college student looking to explore the neighborhood via bicycle or a sports fan hoping to take in the local culture pre or post game, these breweries on the edge of the U of M and St. Paul are worth a sip.

First up on the bike tour is one of the most well known brewers to come out of the Twin Cities. Surly Brewing Co. not only created a name for itself before the craft brewery boom, but the company also fought to pass a bill allowing breweries to include taprooms for the first time in Minnesota. We’ll raise a glass of their brews to that!

Pedal across the border into St. Paul to the first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota, Urban Growler Brewing Co., where art, music and beer abound. Stop in next door to sip on an organic ale and see the circular, win-powered “Bin” that is home to Bang Brewing Co. Just a short trek away is BlackStack Brewing, the new kid on the block whose expansive taproom and variety of brews with just the right amount of twist will make you want to stay and sip awhile. Let your celiac friends drink their fill, or order another round for yourself, at Burning Brothers Brewing, where their beer is all-gluten free and comes in flavorful varieties such as orange blossom honey, lime, coffee, chocolate oatmeal and cranberry. For the final stop on the biking tour, imbibe monster themed beers at Lake Monster Brewing Co. that will leave you wondering what creatures lurk in the depths of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.

Best time to start pedaling: Thursday starting at 4 p.m., Friday starting at 2 p.m., or Saturday starting at noon

By Claire Noack

Nordeast, as locals call it, is the holy land of Twin Cities craft breweries. The hipster neighborhood marries artsy locales with local brews on tap to create the ultimate brewery experience. Because the love for craft beer and spirits is so fervent in Northeast Minneapolis, there are plenty of local drafts to try. Whether you conquer the whole tour in one day, on a weekend, or over the course of your time in the Twin Cities, you won’t want to miss these taprooms.

Follow the Mississippi River north from downtown Minneapolis and take your tastebuds on a wild ride at Dangerous Man Brewing Co. with flavorful beers ranging from peanut butter and chocolate to lemon meringue and strawberry milkshake. Venture east on Broadway Street NE and get back to your roots with one of Able Seedhouse + Brewery‘s refined brews. Come to Indeed Brewing Co. for the specialty pints and leave with a belly full of beer and a heart of gold—this microbrewery donates its Wednesday night taproom net proceeds to local nonprofits.

Hop on your pedal-powered chariot and head toTattersall Distilling for handcrafted cocktails on their large outdoor patio. Sip on something different at Sociable Cider Werks, where a draft of apple cider does more than keep the doctors away. Stop by Bauhaus Brew Labs for German beer styles turned on their head with inventive flavor profiles. Complete the Northeast Ferris wheel of booze with a flight of Minneapolis-inspired brews at 612Brew.

Extend the journey: There are plenty more breweries in the area to bike to, but we thought we’d cut you off at seven for now. We encourage you to explore the art-infused neighborhood and taste test more local spirits, if you’re up to the challenge.

Best time to start pedaling: Thursday or Friday starting at 4 p.m., or Saturday starting at noon

By Claire Noack

For those looking for a tour packed with breweries in a concentrated area, this biking tour is for you. In just a short ride around the North Loop, you can visit six taprooms.

Kick things off with Belgian-inspired beer at Boom Island Brewing Co. Then pedal down West River Road North for scenic views of the Mississippi River on your way to check out Pryes Brewing Co.‘s newly opened taproom, which serves small batch brews and wood-fired pizzas made in-house by Red Wagon Pizza Co.

Cruise into the heart of the North Loop neighborhood to hit up three breweries, all within a two-block radius from one another. This area of Downtown Minneapolis is known for its chic boutiques, so you can get in some shopping if you aren’t too busy filling your growler. Inbound BrewCo has more than 12 rotating styles of beer on tap, not to mention their list of collaborative brews with local businesses. Grab a pint and enjoy live music nights at Fulton Brewery, or taste experimental ales at Modist Brewing Co. Venture onwards near Target Field and sip on session-style beers in a steampunk-inspired setting at Clockwerks Brewing.

Extend the journey: Want to keep the fun rolling? Choose your own adventure and continue on South Washington Avenue to Day Block Brewing Co. and Town Hall Brewery, near U.S. Bank Stadium. Or head down Hennepin Avenue to stop by Sisyphus Brewing and Lakes & Legends Brewing Co. and see Loring Park and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Better yet, combine the two paths and make a loop around the city for the ultimate sight-seeing expedition.

Best time to start pedaling: Thursday or Friday starting at 3 p.m., or Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

By Claire Noack

This trendy neighborhood just south of downtown Minneapolis combines the best aspects of the Twin Cities, from shopping and nightlife to outdoor recreation on the Chain of Lakes. Along with sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding, Uptown is also a great place to bike around the scenic lakes and order a round of local beers with friends at neighborhood taprooms.

Sidle up to the bar at Steel Toe Brewing for refreshing beers with big flavor and almost nightly food trucks. Then ride your metal steed around Lake Calhoun and through the center of Uptown to reach LynLake Brewery and enjoy the rooftop patio, free popcorn and seasonal brews. Continue down Lake Street (or hop on the Greenway Bike Trail) to Eastlake Craft Brewery, where there is a beer to pair with any ethic food of your choosing from Midtown Global Market. Sip on something different at two local distilleries in the area. Du Nord Craft Spirits distills farm-to-bottle spirits and their cocktail lounge serves twists on classic cocktails, while Lawless Distilling Co. mixes up inventive handcrafted drinks made from their Minnesota-themed vodka and gin.

Best time to start pedaling: Wednesday through Sunday starting at 4 p.m.